ONE in three mums in the West Midlands felt pressure to wean their baby before six months, new research shows.
Public Health England (PHE) data shows it happened to 34 per cent of those surveyed.
It has launched its new Start4Life campaign to help parents across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire introduce their baby to solid foods at what is considered the best time for their child’s health.
Lola Abudu, deputy director for health and wellbeing at Public Health England West Midlands said: “Weaning can be a stressful time for parents.
“The Start4Life weaning hub has successfully guided thousands of West Midlands mums and dads through the process so that they can enjoy watching their child take this important step. The practical advice and the tasty recipes introduce children to the great habit of healthy eating from the start.”
The NHS recommends that most babies should not start solid foods until they are around six months old, to give them the best nutritional start in life.
But the new research shows that many mums of young children experience pressure and confusion around weaning, leaving many unsure about what’s right for their baby’s health.
The regional West Midlands research found that:
* a majority of mums in the West Midlands (74 per cent) felt weaning pressure from friends or family;
* 59 per cent of mums have received conflicting weaning advice, with almost half (56 per cent) believing there should be one official source of advice and recipes;
* 65 per cent of mums feel that people on social media are quick to judge how parents introduce solid foods, while over half (51 per cent) of mums feeling under pressure to portray themselves as ‘perfect’ online.
Start4Life’s dedicated weaning hub is packed with NHS-endorsed advice to support parents through their weaning journey and tips for each stage.
It says the hub contains simple, healthy recipes and has everything parents need to know in one place, so they can introduce solid foods safely and healthily.
It also includes videos showing the signs that babies are ready for their first solid foods, how much food to give and tips from other parents.
To find out more visit: www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning
